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It is called Sacred Thread or cord in English but the name does not signify many associated characteristics.  

It is called Sacred Thread or cord in English but the name does not signify many associated characteristics.  

== Origin of Yajnopavita ==

== यज्ञोपवीतस्य प्रादुर्भावम् ॥ Origin of Yajnopavita ==

Early Vedic references such as Rigveda, mention about the Brahmachari and their characteristics. Yajnopavita by itself, during Upanayana, was insignificance in ancient times. It seems that '''the upper garment''' (a dupatta of northern India or the Uparane of Maharashtra) which was offered to the youth was the proto-type from which the sacred thread descended, though both the prototype (not used for yajnas) and the imitation (sacred thread) were retained by the later authorities during Upanayana samskara. Grammatically, Yajnopavita is an adjective and refers to something that was worn at the time of the yajna. यज्ञाय उपवीतं यज्ञोपवीतम्।<ref name=":02" /> It is compound of two words यज्ञ (Yajna) and उपवीत (Upaveeta), 'meaning a thread which has been sanctified by yajna'.<ref name=":4">''Sanskarprakash'' by Gita Press, Gorakhpur. (Pages 175 - 192)</ref>

Early Vedic references such as Rigveda, mention about the Brahmachari and their characteristics. Yajnopavita by itself, during Upanayana, was insignificance in ancient times. It seems that '''the upper garment''' (a dupatta of northern India or the Uparane of Maharashtra) which was offered to the youth was the proto-type from which the sacred thread descended, though both the prototype (not used for yajnas) and the imitation (sacred thread) were retained by the later authorities during Upanayana samskara. Grammatically, Yajnopavita is an adjective and refers to something that was worn at the time of the yajna. यज्ञाय उपवीतं यज्ञोपवीतम्।<ref name=":02" /> It is compound of two words यज्ञ (Yajna) and उपवीत (Upaveeta), 'meaning a thread which has been sanctified by yajna'.<ref name=":4">''Sanskarprakash'' by Gita Press, Gorakhpur. (Pages 175 - 192)</ref>

== About Yajnopavita ==

== About Yajnopavita ==

=== Significance ===

=== वैशिष्ट्यम् ॥ Significance ===

During upanayana the young boy has [[Special Attire of a Student during Upanayana (उपनयने विशेष-परिधानम्)|a special attire]] which include ajina, mounji etc but they are removed at the time of [[Samavartana (समावर्तनम्)|samavartana]] only the yajnopavita and shikha are not removed.<ref name=":4" /> In brahmachaya and grhastha ashramas, the shikha and yajopavita are to be worn and can be removed only if the person accepts Sanyasa ashrama. As for the Grhastha and Vanaprastha ashrama dharmas, Katyayana smrti states that<blockquote>सदोपवीतिना भाव्यं सदा बद्धशिखेन च । विशिखो व्युपवीतश्च यत् करोति न तत्कृतम् ॥ (Katy. Smrt. Achara Adhyaya 1.4)</blockquote>Meaning: Yajnopavita should always be worn and the shikha has to be kept bound (in a specific way having the specified number of knots) or knotted. If shikha and the yajnopavita are not present, whatever dharmik activities are undertaken they remain fruitless.<ref name=":4" />

During upanayana the young boy has [[Special Attire of a Student during Upanayana (उपनयने विशेष-परिधानम्)|a special attire]] which include ajina, mounji etc but they are removed at the time of [[Samavartana (समावर्तनम्)|samavartana]] only the yajnopavita and shikha are not removed.<ref name=":4" /> In brahmachaya and grhastha ashramas, the shikha and yajopavita are to be worn and can be removed only if the person accepts Sanyasa ashrama. As for the Grhastha and Vanaprastha ashrama dharmas, Katyayana smrti states that<blockquote>सदोपवीतिना भाव्यं सदा बद्धशिखेन च । विशिखो व्युपवीतश्च यत् करोति न तत्कृतम् ॥ (Katy. Smrt. Achara Adhyaya 1.4)</blockquote>Meaning: Yajnopavita should always be worn and the shikha has to be kept bound (in a specific way having the specified number of knots) or knotted. If shikha and the yajnopavita are not present, whatever dharmik activities are undertaken they remain fruitless.<ref name=":4" />

Yajnopavita given to the young boy during Upanayana samskara also serves a sign of commitment to schooling and vedic education. It emphasizes that the person is on the path of learning for many years and should avoid all distractions. It is a constant reminder to stay on the track of self-discipline and recite the Gayatri Mantra received as Brahma Upadesham, from the father or Guru. The Gayatri mantra is powerful and the vibrations it causes in the body and in the surroundings rejuvenate the body and mind with positive energy keeping them in good health.

Yajnopavita given to the young boy during Upanayana samskara also serves a sign of commitment to schooling and vedic education. It emphasizes that the person is on the path of learning for many years and should avoid all distractions. It is a constant reminder to stay on the track of self-discipline and recite the Gayatri Mantra received as Brahma Upadesham, from the father or Guru. The Gayatri mantra is powerful and the vibrations it causes in the body and in the surroundings rejuvenate the body and mind with positive energy keeping them in good health.

Yajnopavita reminds the wearer that in life one is always a student and has to seek knowledge required in the journey through the various phases of life with ease and relish. The thread, made of cotton yarn is changed every year on [[Upakarma (उपाकर्म)|Upakarma]], signifying a renewal of commitment.<ref name=":12" /> It signifies that the onus of preserving the Vedas and Dharma and paying off the three rnas (debts) lie on the shoulders of the wearer. The formless Paramatma is termed Brahma while Paramatma with a form is termed 'Yajna' - to attain whom one acquires the adhikara by wearing the yajnopavita.<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् । आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः । (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 2.2.11)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Paraskara Grhyasutras]</ref></blockquote>The Acharya, while investing the student with yajnopavita repeats this appropriate Mantra, emphasizing that yajnopavita is very sacred, created for performing auspicious activities worn by Brahma the creator himself and bestowing strength, long-life and illumination to the boy.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":4" />

Yajnopavita reminds the wearer that in life one is always a student and has to seek knowledge required in the journey through the various phases of life with ease and relish. The thread, made of cotton yarn is changed every year on [[Upakarma (उपाकर्म)|Upakarma]], signifying a renewal of commitment.<ref name=":12" /> It signifies that the onus of preserving the Vedas and Dharma and paying off the three rnas (debts) lie on the shoulders of the wearer. The formless Paramatma is termed Brahma while Paramatma with a form is termed 'Yajna' - to attain whom one acquires the adhikara by wearing the yajnopavita.<ref name=":4" /> <blockquote>यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् । आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः । (Para. Grhy. Sutr. 2.2.11)<ref>[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Paraskara Grhyasutras]</ref></blockquote>The Acharya, while investing the student with yajnopavita repeats this appropriate Mantra, emphasizing that yajnopavita is very sacred, created for performing auspicious activities worn by Brahma the creator himself and bestowing strength, long-life and illumination to the boy.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":4" /> In Smritiprakasha, the reason why Yajnopavita is also termed as Brahmasutra is explained.<blockquote>सूचनाद् ब्रह्मतत्त्वस्य वेदतत्त्वस्य सूचनात् । तत्सूत्रमुपवीतत्वाद् ब्रह्मसूत्रमिति स्मृतम्॥</blockquote>Meaning: this thread is a mark of knowledge of brahmatattva and vedas, hence it is said to be brahmasutra.<ref name=":4" />

In Smritiprakasha, the reason why Yajnopavita is also termed as Brahmasutra is explained.<blockquote>सूचनाद् ब्रह्मतत्त्वस्य वेदतत्त्वस्य सूचनात् । तत्सूत्रमुपवीतत्वाद् ब्रह्मसूत्रमिति स्मृतम्॥</blockquote>Meaning: this thread is a mark of knowledge of brahmatattva and vedas, hence it is said to be brahmasutra.<ref name=":4" />

The grhyasutras further mention the procedure to make the yajnopavita. A yajnopavita is spun either by the person himself, or a virgin Brahman girl or by a married lady from a specific kind of cotton and twisted by a Brahmana. Its length is ninetysix times as the breadth of the four fingers of a man, which is equal to his height. The three cords are tied together by a knot called' Brahmagranthi; the three individual cords are termed Brahmasutra, Savitasutra and Yajnasutra. Besides, extra knots are made in the cords to indicate the various Pravaras of a particular family. Then it is called as a Yajnopavita after being sanctified by the utterance of Pranava and Savitri mantras. Based on these aspects, a yajnopavita is prepared with utmost sanctity following all rules of soucha (purity).<ref name=":4" />

The Yajnopavita is made up of three cords having a total of nine strands (tantus) well twisted with a knot for each cord (each cord has three strands). The composition of Yajnopavita is full of symbolism and significance.  Each of the four fingers represents one of the four states the soul of a man experiences from time to time, namely, waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep and absolute Brahmanhood. The three folds of the cord are also symbolical. They represent the three Gunas, reality, passion and darkness, out of which the whole universe is evolved. The care is taken that the twist of the thread must be upward. It was done, so that the Sattvaguna or the good quality of reality may predominate in a man, and so he may attain spiritual merits.<ref name=":12" />  

The grhyasutras further mention the procedure to make the yajnopavita. A yajnopavita is spun either by the person himself, or a virgin Brahman girl or by a married lady from a specific kind of cotton and twisted by a Brahmana. Its length is ninetysix times as the breadth of the four fingers of a man, which is equal to his height. The three cords are tied together by a knot called' Brahmagranthi; the three knots are termed Brahmasutra, Savitasutra and Yajnasutra. Besides, extra knots are made in the cords to indicate the various Pravaras of a particular family. Then it is called as a Yajnopavita after being sanctified by the utterance of Pranava and Savitri mantras. Based on these aspects, a yajnopavita is prepared with utmost sanctity following all rules of soucha.<ref name=":4" />

The Yajnopavita is made up of three cords each of nine strands (tantus) well twisted with a knot for each thread. The composition of Yajnopavita is full of symbolism and significance.  Each of the four fingers represents one of the four states the soul of a man experiences from time to time, namely, waking, dreaming, dreamless sleep and absolute Brahmanhood. The three folds of the cord are also symbolical. They represent the three Gunas, reality, passion and darkness, out of which the whole universe is evolved. The care is taken that the twist of the thread must be upward. It was done, so that the Sattvaguna or the good quality of reality may predominate in a man, and so he may attain spiritual merits.<ref name=":12" />  

Devatas wear the yajnopavita as mentioned in many Puranic texts. Offering yajnopavita is one of the 16 upacharas in the daily worship of deities. Yajnopavita samskaras of Shri Rama and Shri Krishna are well described in Ramayana and Shrimad Bhagavatam. Some evidences point to the fact that since Yajnopavita has been mentioned in the Vedas, it is not a later day modification of the upper garment as claimed by some scholars. It has been highly acclaimed in many texts and thus it should be revered and not treated as just any thread worn by the Dvijas.<ref name=":4" />

The number of sets to be worn can be summarized as given below<blockquote>ब्रह्मचारिण एकं स्यात् स्नातकस्यद्वे बहूनि वा। (Ashv. Grhy. Sutr.) यज्ञोपवीते द्वे धार्ये श्रौते स्मार्ते च कर्मणि । तृतीयमुत्तरार्धे च वस्त्राभावे तदिष्यते ॥ (Hemadri)</blockquote>A brahmachari can wear one yajnopavita (i.e., one cord consisting of 9 tantus) A snataka can wear two or more sets. The reason as given by Hemadri is that when both shrauta and smarta karmas are to be fulfilled a person should wear two sets (of three cords each), the third set is worn in place of an upper garment. Some people wear two cords and an upper garment.<ref name=":4" />  

Devatas wear the yajnopavita as seen from many texts. Yajnopavita samskaras of Shri Rama and Shri Krishna are well described in Ramayana and Shrimad Bhagavatam. Some evidences point to the fact that since Yagnopavita has been mentioned in the Vedas, it is not a later day modification of the upper garment as claimed by some scholars. It has been highly acclaimed in many texts and thus it should be revered and not treated as a just any thread worn by the Dvijas.<ref name=":4" />

Number of sets to be worn

Summarily the yajnopavita is worn in the following way by people of different ashramas.

* A brahmachari can wear only one set

* A brahmachari can wear only one set

* A grhastha and Vanaprastha is given the privilege to wear two

* A snataka, grhastha and Vanaprastha are given the privilege to wear two or three

* A sanyasi does not wear yajnopavita

* A sanyasi does not wear a yajnopavita

In modern times since the usage of upper garment is done away with, a grhastha who adopts modern dress code generally wears three sets of yajnopavita.

=== Positions of the Yajnopavita ===

=== अवस्था ॥ Positions of the Yajnopavita ===

The Yajñopavīta would have three positions.

The Yajnopavīta would have three positions.<ref name=":4" />

#'''Upavītam''': The cord will be sitting on the left shoulder and hanging under the right hand. For all rites related to deities (Vedic) one should maintain Upavītam.

#'''उपवीती (Upavītī)''': The cord will be sitting on the left shoulder and hanging under the right hand. For all auspicious rites, and those related to deities (Vedic) one should maintain Upavītam. It is also called सव्य-अवस्था (Savya-avastha)

#'''Prācīnāvītam''': This is opposite to Upavītam, i.e. the cord would sit on the right shoulder and hangs under the left hand. This position is to be used while performing any rite related to forefathers (Pitṛkarma).

#'''प्राचीनवीती (Prācīnāvītī)''': This is opposite to Upavītam, i.e. the cord would sit on the right shoulder and hangs under the left hand. This position is to be used while performing any rite related to forefathers (Pitṛkarma) such as shraddha and tarpanas. It is also called अपसव्य अवस्था (Apasavya-avastha).  

#'''Nivītam / Saṃvītam''': The cord simply hangs from the neck and this position is for any human activity such as sleeping, nature's calls, sexual intercourse etc.

#'''निवीती (Nivītī / Saṃvītī)''': The cord simply hangs from the neck, like a garland is termed as Niviti. The tarpanas offered to Sananka and other rishis is performed with the yajnopavita kept in this position. The same position but with the cord hanging backwards, like  garland, is also Niviti avastha. This position is adopted for any gramya dharma - human activity such as nature's calls, sexual intercourse etc. It is also called निवीती-अवस्था (Niviti avastha). During the nature's calls the yajnopavita is in niviti position and the cord is twisted around the right ear.<ref name=":4" />

 

 

 

== Reference ==

== Reference ==

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Samskaras]]

[[Category:Education Series]]

[[Category:Education Series]]